“Finding Nemo Jr.” is being presented at Newark Middle School April 25th and 26th.
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The show is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie “Finding Nemo.” Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home.
But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.
“We were excited to tackle a Disney show this year. Finding Nemo lends itself to lots of creative moments for our student crew,” said Director/Choreographer and Newark High School English teacher Emily Howard. “The show features several interesting characters that Marlin and Nemo meet along their journeys back to each other. This gave many students an opportunity to have speaking and solo singing lines. I’m very proud of our young performers and technicians. I am looking forward to many of them experiencing their first theatrical production!”
Melissa Viscusi, NMS vocal music teacher is the music director for the show and Lincoln School vocal music teacher Lara Larsson is the technical director.
Newark High School Drama Club members have served as mentors and rehearsal assistants. Helping the cast this year has been Kylie Gravino, Brooklynn Hand, Tristan Harris, Ava Herrington, Alexandria Pellegrini, and Kloie Sergeant. Madison Chamberlin has been assisting with Middle School crew members.
Cast members include: Madelyn Backus as Chum, John Bickford as a shark, Alena Black as Professor Ray/Gil, Katlin Brewster as a shark, Aaliyah Briggs as Kai; Payton Bump as a turtle, Mason Casterlin as a turtle, Colin Chamberlin as Nigel/shark, Sloane Colling as Crush, Zha’Niyah Collins as a turtle, Mackenzie Contario as a shark, Carlee Creighton as a turtle, Josyah Fagner as a shark, Alexis Grass as a turtle, Laila Isham as Anchor, KaylaJo Kaufman as Bruce, Abrielle Kemp as a shark, Brayden Kleiboer as Tad/Gurgle, Peter Kuperus as Marlin, Max Lancaster as a shark, Emma Grace Landry as Squirt, Rylee Mayo as Dory, Noah Michel as Sheldon/Bloat, Alyx Newark as Pearl/Bubbles, Arissa Pallister-Eller as a shark, Mia Rivera as Coral/Peach, Madi Ross as Breeze, Sofia Urban as a shark, Gabriella Williams as Nemo, Anna Winkler as a turtle and Rose Young as a turtle.
Crew members: Mackenzie Bartholomew, Paige Foster, Mickey Morales, Zoe Parker, Madelyn Stewart, Khloe Kephart, Javante Brooks, Jiovanni Brooks, Malina Gonzalez, Haely Groover, Jake Hobart, Lucas Parkinson, Jenna Patton, Ellie Whitbeck and Serenity Wild.
The musical will be presented in the NMS auditorium at 7 p.m. April 25th and at 2 p.m. April 26th. Tickets are $3 and are available at the door 30 minutes before the performance.